Tempting our Fate

Trouble Comes Close

c.1285 TA- Imladris

Legolas left Imladris the same year Aranethon turned five. It was becoming hard to justify staying in Rivendell, and eventually he returned home to resume his own duties. Lalaith had been sad when he left, and so had Aranethon. The youngest prince had never known life without his uncle, and it confused him when he had to leave. "Why do you have to leave?" Aranethon asked.

"Because I have to help my father." Legolas said quietly. Aranethon only had vague memories of his grandfather, only some distinct memory of his voice.

"But, but he doesn't need you."

"He does. He has been suffering without me for five years now. I must return."

Aranethon's eyes had watered and he had thrown a temper tantrum twice in the day before Legolas was to depart. It left Lalaith quite weary and frayed her nerves. "I am sorry." Legolas told her after Aranethon had finally fallen asleep, with a little encouragement from his father.

"It's not your fault. Apparently my child is more like me than I wish." Lalaith muttered, burying her face in her hands.

Legolas sighed and moved closer to her. "I remember your second spring quite distinctly, or at least I heard about the worse end of it. I was trying to leave with nana to run, and father was trying to hold you back. You were screaming and yelling and kicking. Not that father was much dissuaded or impeded, but it made all of us cringe. Father dragged you into his room and shut the door so we could leave. Later I found out that you had cried until you fell asleep and had tried to escape multiple times."

Lalaith smiled. "I feel like I remember that."

"It was quite traumatizing for our mother." Legolas said quietly. "She had never had to deal with full tantrums."

"You were a quiet person." Lalaith said.

"Mmm. And father was grown by the time she met him."

Lalaith laughed tiredly. "If only I still had enough energy to do that."

"I think you do." Legolas said. He paused and then asked in a gentler voice, "Will you be alright here?"

"Without you?" Lalaith asked amused. "I can survive without you. I did before Aranethon. I can now."

"Are you sure?" Legolas asked. "What of springtime?"

"I have learned how to manage it by now."

"That you have." Legolas said quietly. Then he glanced at her. "You would not consider coming to Greenwood with me?"

"I have." Lalaith said.

"I suppose you decided against it."

"I can't leave, las." Lalaith sighed. "I wish I could. I want Aranethon to know his grandfather. But we cannot go."

Legolas looked away, eyes scanning the trees. "That's what I thought. Come when you can," he said looking back at her.

"I will," she said and hugged him once more.

The next morning was a somewhat of a nightmare to say good-bye to Legolas with any dignity. Aranethon then spent the rest of the day in tears. "This is a nightmare." Lalaith muttered to her husband who was watching as their child stared forlornly after Legolas.

"He will learn soon." Glorfindel said. "And he will be stronger for it."

"I know. It doesn't mean I like it." Lalaith said. "And I didn't say it was a nightmare for him."

Glorfindel chuckled slightly. "It may be painful but you will live."

"Well I suppose I deserved it." Lalaith said and quietly told him the story Legolas had told her.

"I cannot say I am surprised. I can see you fighting tooth and nail until you pass out." Glorfindel said, smiling to himself.

Lalaith smiled. "You can?"

"I am more impressed with your father. I am not quite sure what I would do."

"Well, he had been on both sides of it at that point, so I suppose it was not too difficult." Lalaith's eyes glazed slightly. "That wasn't the last time I threw a tantrum, and every time I remember he just held me close until I exhausted myself. When I got older, however, he let me go. I suppose he thought I would learn better that way. Both ways I ended up in his arms."

"He is a good father." Glorfindel said quietly, pulling her into his own arms and kissing her forehead. "And you are a good mother. Aranethon will be fine."

"I hope so."

Years passed again in a quick fashion. Aranethon grew and went through periods of emotional and physical pain due to the growing gift as Thranduil had warned. However, to his fortune, no sign had yet appeared of any physical aftereffects of what he had inherited from his father. Glorfindel had let Lalaith teach him in her own gift and had taught him little of his to give him mental space. Lalaith had done well handling him so far.

Aranethon was now twenty. It made him almost halfway to his grown years. But that was the year that everything grew drastically worse.

"Nazgul have been seen. Angmar is controlling them." Gandalf told Elrond and Glorfindel one night. Glorfindel and Elrond both paled slightly.

"So that is who we found in Dol Gulder." Elrond said to himself.

"So it seems." Gandalf said.

Glorfindel sighed. "Can we do anything?"

"Just the three of us? No. Angmar is controlling someone. We need to know who."

That night Glorfindel approached Lalaith. "If I sent you to your father would you stay there until this blows over?"

"How long would that be?" Lalaith asked, one eyebrow raised.

"I don't know." Glorfindel admitted.

"Years, centuries?" Lalaith asked. "I am not staying away from you that long."

"Even if it would be safer?"

"How is Greenwood safer?"

"Angmar is focusing on Arnor. The high-kings." Glorfindel pointed out. "Greenwood does not trouble him."

"Oh? Then they invaded Greenwood first why?"

"Lalaith, I just want you to be safe. I am feeling something is coming, and it is coming this way, not your father's way. You and Aranethon could be safe there until we know better."

"Know better?" Lalaith asked. "You know what it is right now."

"Angmar is powerful, Lalaith."

"So are you. So is Elrond. So is Mithrandir."

"I do not know that Rivendell will be safe. We are surrounded by Arnor, you pointed this out yourself."

"If I still lived in Greenwood I might have a father trying to send me away. I would not listen to him either no matter how dark Greenwood grew."

"Then would you listen for your son's sake?" Glorfindel asked sighing.

Lalaith glanced away and sighed. "Maybe. It depends. Which would you rather? Us live in a darkening forest slowly being taken over by Spiders and be kept in a fortress or us live here where we are protected by two Ringbearers and one Maia and you and have fear of being invaded? One of them involves us staying together. One involves us being apart for who knows how long."

Glorfindel sunk onto the bed. "You are impossible. I want us to stay together. But I want the two of you to be safe."

"I thought you said you could keep us safe."

"I can." Glorfindel cocked his head. "But I can make sure of it if you are for sure somewhere that will not be attacked."

"You cannot be sure of that." Lalaith pointed out. She sat next to him. "You have to trust me. I know it is risky to stay here. But it is risky to brave the mountains as well."

"Which is worse?" Glorfindel asked. "If we truly are attacked here?"

"Then I suppose it depends on how strong Imladris remains. Because there is nothing to protect me in the mountains."

Glorfindel glanced at her unhappily. "You are trying to convince me that this is better. If worse comes to worse-."

"Then I think we shall only be delaying the inevitable." Lalaith interrupted. "And Greenwood will be attacked as well." She watched his eyes for a few moments and then sighed. "Do you truly want me to go to Greenwood?"

Glorfindel cocked his head. "Half of me does."

"Which half?" Lalaith asked.

"Does it matter?"

"Motivation is everything sometimes."

"I thought you were young." Glorfindel muttered.

"Perhaps your mind is getting dusty after so long." Lalaith said flicking the side of his head.

"Ow." Glorfindel said and rubbed the spot. "You are ruthless."

"I thought it might stir your thoughts up a bit. Now answer the question."

"Fine." Glorfindel said and glanced back at her. "The part of me that is solely concerned for your welfare."

"That's all?"

"Is that something trivial?"

"To me? Sometimes." Lalaith said smiling.

Glorfindel rolled his eyes. "Fine then, our son's welfare as well."

"You have told me what is suspected, but Gundabad is near Greenwood's borders as well." Lalaith sighed. "I worry for him, but either choice seems risky."

Glorfindel hesitated and then wrapped his arm around her, drawing her closer. "We have a little bit of time. Not much, but a little." He said quietly. Then he kissed her cheek. "I just want you both to be safe."

"I know. We'll figure it out. Eventually." She added and he laughed softly.

"Eventually is a good term for it." Glorfindel drew her onto the bed where they both cuddled closer together. "I do not want to be separated from you." He whispered. "But I do not want to see what happens if Imladris is attacked as I fear."

"Neither do I." Lalaith admitted. "More for your sake than mine."

"Mine?"

"You are the one that will be fighting either way." Lalaith pointed out. "Aranethon and I will be plenty safe."

Glorfindel let out a long sigh. "I have fought before. I am not worried for myself."

"That is what worries me." She hesitated and then rolled over so that they faced each other once more. "You came back injured because you were not worried for yourself, and had it been any worse I might have been raising a child without a father. What of this time?"

"I do learn from my mistakes." Glorfindel said quietly. "I will not so endanger you. Accidents do happen, but I promised once I would always return for you. I am still bound by that."

"Perhaps." Lalaith said but her fingers were touching his long hair as she stared at the golden strands.

"Lalaith." He said as he grabbed her hand. "Anything that grabs my hair in battle will regret it. I made sure." He assured her. "I do learn from my mistakes."

She sighed and her eyes fell downcast. "I would rather be here if something happens to you." She said quietly. "At least then-."

He hushed her quickly and lifted her chin. "You will not have to go through that."

"Do you know that for sure?" She asked.

"No." He admitted. "But they released me quickly once before."

"I cannot face your family alone." She said with tears in her eyes.

"Don't." He said. "Find yours and stay with them."

"Would you find me?"

"Of course. I cannot imagine going back to living without you, even for as long as I did." He said. "Which is why I still prefer the thought of you going to Greenwood."

"The Men call it Mirkwood." Lalaith said, her eyes growing concerned. He was worried about the effect of the forest on her mind if they did go, but that would be far better than being attacked here.

"Celebrían is returning to Lórien with Arwen." Glorfindel said gently.

"I am not Celebrían, and unlike Arwen our son is not grown." Lalaith said. "I do not want him to grow up without you."

Glorfindel hesitated, still unsure. "For now then you both shall stay. But if things get worse-."

"I will think about it." Lalaith stopped him. Then she cuddled close to him once more. "We will speak of it later."

Glorfindel allowed the conversation to end there. It was no use to push further tonight. They were both tired and worried for the same reasons. He kissed her forehead and then relaxed as much as he could into the bed so she could settle down better. His mind, however, was still tense. The conversation had ended, but the feeling of foreboding had not.

Flames were leaping from city to city, razing them to ground and scattering the ashes forsaking them to memory only. Large armed hosts traveled across Arnor, and Men were trying to take refuge in Imladris, but found it was surrounded by thousands of Orcs as much as anywhere else.

Aranethon looked grown, or if not close to it. There was a sword strapped to his hip. He himself was standing in front of his son. He glanced around, and frowned at the dark hosts on their borders. They had not yet received word from Celeborn. Perhaps no aide would come as they had thought. Elrond was there as well, as was Mithrandir. Mithrandir looked anxious, but he was holding a pipe in his hand and smoking. Elrond was eyeing him annoyed, mainly at the smell and the smoke, but they had bigger problems than Mithrandir's love of pipe-weed.

"They are trying to break the barrier again." Gandalf commented.

Elrond had grimaced. "I know."

"There's not much we can do about it besides hope our strength holds." He said. He glanced at the sword on his son's belt, still regretting that he had taught him. Aranethon's eyes were still bright with youth, and their golden-grey quality gave them an appearance of the sun coming out behind the clouds. Hence why his mother hand begun calling him a Silvan name that literally meant "Sun After Storm".

"We will send out another sortie." Elrond said, appearing deep in thought. "At high noon. We attack from within the barrier with bows."

"Bows? Our warriors are not like those from Greenwood." He said. "We have no such bows."

"No, but they are on the barrier, doing their best to break through. You will not need a long range or much accuracy." Elrond said. "And we need to hang onto our spears until hope grows faint."

He sighed. "Very well." He went inside to gather a party of warriors. He heard Aranethon following him.

"Can I come?"

"I would rather you didn't."

"But I want to help!"

"You are young, Aranethon. You have plenty of time to prove yourself with a sword later." He said, hoping his child would take the statement the right way. After all he was barely of age.

"But I-."

He stopped walking and inspected his child's face. "Please, ion nin. You do not realize yet what it means to be a warrior."

"Of course I do! I am your son."

"Yes, and that is reason all the more."

"You were a warrior!"

"Who wasn't then?" He muttered to himself. To Aranethon he said, "I am doing my best to ensure you do not share my fate as well."

"Why not? You are a legend!"

"The legend died." He said flatly. "I am what remains of him." He then turned on his heel before walking away. Aranethon was staring after him…

He was fighting. When, where, and why were lost on him at this moment. Then suddenly he felt a searing ache. He cursed and fought his way a new direction. "Is this your son?"

He heard the cold voice of the Witch-King, holding Aranethon by his shoulder. Blood was dripping from a wound in Aranethon's side. "Let him go." He said.

"Should I? You are one of my greatest enemies." Angmar was sneering. He felt as helpless as when he was suddenly dragged off the cliff. "And this might just destroy you. But I do wonder- who is his mother?"

"That is no concern of yours!" he hissed. His power was unveiling itself. Angmar now looked hesitant.

"It will be. There are few ways to tear down one such as yourself." Angmar ended laughing. Glorfindel's eyes widened and he threw light at the shade who fled. Not, however, before he felt another searing pain. This time it was mortal. His last vision was watching the light fade from the once bright eyes.

Glorfindel woke up in a cold sweat. "Meleth!" He gasped and opened his eyes to see Lalaith leaning over him concerned. Ten more years had passed since they had last discussed going to Greenwood and had avoided bringing it up since. Aranethon was now 30, and Arnor was descending more into chaos with each passing day. Once she saw he was awake Lalaith said nothing but sat back on the bed next to him. He slowly and shakily sat up, not liking what was going on. He hadn't had nightmares since they married when she was with him, but that had not seemed like a nightmare, more like vision.

He glanced at the bed with some regret, apparently he had tossed quite a bit. The bed looked like it did on nights he had dreamed of his death. "I am sorry." He murmured, sure he had woken her up in the chaos of all the tossing and turning.

He felt her hand hesitantly land on his shoulder as she moved closer. "There is nothing to apologize for."

"Yes there is."

Lalaith snorted. "We have both had nightmares before, love." She said.

Glorfindel sighed. "But-."

"Stop arguing." She said with an air of her father and he gave up. "Are you alright?" She asked gentler.

Glorfindel did not know. He knew he was not okay with what he had seen. He was even less sure of their current course now. But if he had learned nothing else he knew it could have been a dream and just that. It could have reflected the future but not its outcome. It could have even been the future, but he had been warned that the future was ever changing. Changing with every choice they made, and oft the steps brought to prevent the future one wished to avoid only brought it closer. So was he alright?

"I don't know." He said quietly, shivering once. She wordlessly wrapped the blanket around him and then slid inside so she was sitting in his arms.

He held her close, his insides trembling with fear. He could not lose his son like that. Valar forbid it.

Wrapped together in the blanket with his wife he was more at a loss now than ever. He tightened his arms around Lalaith and buried his face in her hair. He could never look at her with much pride again if this future came to pass. Yet he did not know what decisions would bring them to that point, so how could he prevent it? He knew the answer to that too.

He couldn't.